MINNEAPOLIS—(January 30, 2003)—Northwest Airlines today announced that it will begin offering daily nonstop service between its Minneapolis/St. Paul hub and Helena, Mont., beginning May 1, 2003.

Previously, this service included a stop in Billings, Mont.

In addition to providing service between Montana’s capital and the Twin Cities, the new flights will create dozens of single connection opportunities to destinations throughout Northwest’s U.S. and international network via its Minneapolis/St. Paul hub that previously required 2 or more stops. Helena is the sixth city in Montana served by Northwest.

“We appreciate Northwest`s commitment to Montana,” said Sens. Max Baucus (D-Mont.) and Conrad Burns (R-Mont.), as well as Rep. Denny Rehberg (R-Mont.). In a recent letter to Northwest Airlines regarding air service in Helena, the three congressional members said, “air travel is a vital component of economic development throughout Montana that also enhances the quality of life of our constituents.”

Northwest Airlink partner, Pinnacle Airlines, Corp., will operate the new Minneapolis/St. Paul nonstop service with the 50-passenger Canadair Regional Jet (CRJ). The CRJ features a spacious cabin with comfortable two-by-two leather seating and other cabin amenities similar to much larger jets, such as overhead bins, a galley, lavatory, and an efficient climate control system to ensure passenger comfort.

The flights are currently open for sale online at www.nwa.com, by telephone through Northwest Airlines Reservations at 1-800-225-2525, or through travel agencies.

Northwest also provides single connect service to 14 destinations in Montana through its codeshare agreements with Horizon Air and Big Sky Airlines. Passengers traveling on Big Sky or Horizon with Northwest connecting itineraries benefit from the seamless service afforded by the codeshares, including one-stop passenger and baggage check-in at any Big Sky, Horizon or Northwest ticket counter and WorldPerks frequent flyer mileage accrual on all codeshare carrier flights.

Northwest Airlines is the world`s fourth largest airline with hubs at Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Memphis, Tokyo and Amsterdam, and approximately 1,500 daily departures. With its travel partners, Northwest serves nearly 750 cities in almost 120 countries on six continents. In 2002, consumers from throughout the world recognized Northwest’s efforts to make travel easier. A 2002 J.D. Power and Associates study ranked airports at Detroit and Minneapolis/St. Paul, home to Northwest’s two largest hubs, tied for second place among large domestic airports in overall customer satisfaction. Business travelers who subscribe to OAG print and electronic flight guides rated nwa.com as the best airline Web site. Readers of TTG Asia and TTG China named Northwest “Best North American airline.”

For more information pertaining to Northwest, media inquiries can be directed to Northwest Media Relations at (612) 726-2331 or to Northwest’s Web site at www.nwa.com.

 

——-